Basic Strategies

The versatility of index options stems from the variety of strategies available to the investor. The following examples explain most basic uses of index options. These examples are based on hypothetical situations and should only be considered as examples of potential trading approaches.

Other strategies used with equity options, such as spreads and straddles, can be employed with index options. For more detailed explanations, contact OIC Investor Services, your brokerage firm or the exchanges where index options are traded.

Note: For purposes of illustration, we have omitted commission and transaction costs, tax considerations and the costs involved in margin accounts from examples. These factors affect a strategy’s potential outcome, so always check with your brokerage firm and tax advisor before entering into any strategies. For illustrative purposes, the following examples show the index option positions held until expiration. The premiums are intended to be reasonable, but in reality, will not necessarily exist at or prior to expiration for a similar option.

Strategy 1 - Buying Index Calls

Goal: Positioning to profit from an increase in the level of the underlying index.

You are anticipating an advance in the broad market or market sector measured by the underlying index in the near future.

You want to take an aggressive position that can provide a great deal of leverage.

You make this decision aware of the possibility that you may lose the entire premium you pay for the option.

An index call option gives the purchaser the right to participate in underlying index gains above a predetermined strike price until the option expires. The purchaser of an index call option has unlimited profit potential tied to the strength of advances in the underlying index.

Scenario

Assume that XYZ symbolizes the underlying index that interests you and it is currently at a level of 200. You decide to purchase a 6-month XYZ 205 call for a quoted price of $4.75 per contract. Your net cost for this call is $475 ($4.75 x 100 multiplier). You are risking $475 if the underlying index level is not above the strike price of 205 when the XYZ call expires.

The break-even point (BEP) at expiration is an XYZ index level of 209.75 (strike price 205 + premium paid $4.75) because the call will be worth its intrinsic value of $4.75, which is what you originally paid for it. The higher the XYZ index settlement value is above the break-even point at expiration, the greater your profit.

Possible Outcomes at Expiration

1. XYZ index level above the break-even point (209.75):

If at expiration XYZ index has advanced to 215, the XYZ 205 call will be worth its intrinsic value of $10 (settlement value 215 - strike price 205). Your net profit in this case would be $525 (settlement amount $1000 received from exercise - net cost of call $475).

If at expiration XYZ index has advanced to 207, the XYZ 205 call will be worth its intrinsic value of $2.00 (settlement value 207 - strike price 205). You could exercise the option and receive the settlement amount of $200 ($2.00 intrinsic value x 100 multiplier). This amount would be less than the net amount paid for the call ($475), but it would offset some of that cost. The net loss in this case would be $275 (net cost of call $475 - settlement amount $200 received from exercise). This loss represents a little more than half of your initial investment.

3. XYZ index level below strike price (205):

If at expiration XYZ index has declined to 198, the call would have no value because it is out-of-the-money. You will have lost all of your initial investment, a net of $475. The net premium paid for an index option represents the maximum loss for an option purchaser.

Note: No matter how far XYZ declines below the strike price, the loss will not exceed $475.

Strategy 2 - Buying Index Puts

Goal: Positioning to profit from a decrease in the level of the underlying index.

You are anticipating a decline in the broad market or market sector measured by the underlying index in the near future. You want to take an aggressive position that can provide a great deal of leverage.

You make this decision aware of the possibility that you may lose the entire premium paid for the option.

An index put option provides the purchaser the right to participate in underlying index declines below a predetermined strike price until the option expires. The purchaser of an index put option has substantial profit potential tied to the degree of declines in the underlying index.

Scenario

Assume that XYZ symbolizes an underlying index that interests you and it is currently at a level of 200. You decide to purchase a 6-month XYZ 195 put for a quoted price of $3.90 per contract. Your net cost for this call is $390 ($3.90 x 100 multiplier). You are risking $390 if the underlying index level is not below the strike price of 195 when the XYZ put expires.

The break-even point (BEP) at expiration is an XYZ index level of 191.10 (strike price 195 - premium paid $3.90) because the put will be worth its intrinsic value of $3.90, which is what you originally paid for it. The lower the XYZ index settlement value is below the break-even point at expiration, the greater your profit.

Possible Outcomes at Expiration

1. XYZ index level below the break-even point (191.10):

If at expiration XYZ index has declined to 185, the XYZ 195 put will be worth its intrinsic value of $10 (strike price 195 - settlement value 185). Your net profit in this case would be $610 (settlement amount $1000 received from exercise - net cost of put $390).

If at expiration XYZ index has declined to 193, the XYZ 195 put will be worth its intrinsic value of $2.00 (strike price 195 - settlement value 193). You could exercise the option and receive the settlement amount of $200 ($2.00 intrinsic value x 100 multiplier). This amount would be less than the net amount paid for the put ($390), but it would offset some of that cost. The net loss in this case would be $190 (net cost of put $390 - settlement amount $200 received from exercise). This loss represents a little less than half of your initial investment.

3. XYZ index level above strike price (195):

If at expiration XYZ index has advanced to 202, the put would have no value because it is out-of-the-money. You will have lost all of your initial investment, a net of $390. The net premium paid for an index option represents the maximum loss for an option purchaser.

Note: No matter how far XYZ advances above the strike price, the loss will not exceed $390.

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This web site discusses exchange-traded options issued by The Options Clearing Corporation. No statement in this web site is to be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, or to provide investment advice. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Copies of this document may be obtained from your broker, from any exchange on which options are traded or by contacting The Options Clearing Corporation, One North Wacker Dr., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60606 (1- 800-678-4667).

This web site discusses exchange-traded options issued by The Options Clearing Corporation. No statement in this web site is to be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, or to provide investment advice.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (PDF). Copies of this document may be obtained from your broker or from any exchange on which options are traded or by contacting The Options Clearing Corporation, One North Wacker Dr., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60606 (1-800-678-4667).